A small group of protesters expressed their views on the Army plan to excavate burials in Makua Valley as they held signs outside the Office of Hawaiian Affairs building this morning. Lineal descendant Alia Poe Silva, center, says OHA has been silent on the issue.

RICHARD AMBO | The Honolulu Advertiser

Protesters are gathering this morning outside the Office of Hawaiian Affairs building to challenge a recent plan by the Army to excavate “recently discovered” sacred burial complexes in Makua Wahipana and allow visitor access to the site.

The protest, until 10:30 a.m., is being led by Alika Poe Silva, leader of the lineal descendants of those buried in Makua Valley. “The Army wants to exterminate and obfuscate our concerns and the integrity of the Kane temples in Makua Wahipana,” Silva said in a statement. The protesters say that OHA and Hui Malama have agreed to the Army plan despite the concerns of the lineal descendants and that they will be requesting a legal analysis and opinion from the Hawaii Supreme Court.